TOWER GROVE PARK MASTER PLAN A Victorian work of art with a twenty-irst century soul August 30, 2017 RHODESIDE & HARWELL BEYER BLINDER BELLE DAVEY JACOBS
WHO WE ARE 1898 OLMSTED: BRANCH BROOK PARK, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY RHODESIDE & HARWELL Founded 1986 / 30 people Virginia & New York City ofices Landscape Architecture Urban Design Planning Specialists: Historic Preservation Green Design Community Outreach International U.S. 2 1929 JONES BEACH STATE PARK, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK U.S. NATIONAL ARBORETUM, WASHINGTON D.C.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES HISTORY Celebrate and preserve the National Register and National Historic Landmark status of the park. Protect, preserve, and maintain existing historic fabric in the landscapeas well as structures. COMMUNITY Encourage Tower Grove as an essential neighborhood park at the heart of the community. Maintain the park as a safe and welcoming place to all. SUSTAINABILITY Make the park sustainable through contemporary best practices to advance the health of the local environment and its people. Collaborate and experiment with new tree and plant varieties in response to a changing climate. RECREATION Offer programming to support the aspirations of present and future generations, remaining current, while still preservinghistory. Add programming if and where as needed, not for its own sake. LEGACY Elevate stewardship throughout the park, focus on taking care of whatis already part of the park. Utilize information technologies to more efficiently monitor, record,and maintain the park. Preserve the investment for the next 150 years
WHAT MAKES TOWER GROVE PARK SPECIAL EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTIONS 4 UNIQUE PLANTINGS BEAUTIFUL OBJECTS SCULPTURE BUILDINGS THE ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD WITH A LARGE INTACT COLLECTION OF VICTORIAN PARK PAVILIONS
VICTORIAN PAVILIONS CHINESE PAVILION(1873) TURKISH PAVILION(1872) LILY POND SHELTER (1872) HUMBOLDT NORTH PAVILION(1871) TOWER GROVE PARK IS THE ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD WITH A LARGE INTACT COLLECTION OF VICTORIAN PARK PAVILIONS.
HISTORY HENRY SHAW S PLAN 1876 CREATE A PLAN FOR ENDOWED MAINTENANCE PRESERVETHE PARK S HISTORIC FEATURES CHARACTER LANDMARK STATUS
COMMUNITY VOICES Q1 WHAT MAKES TOWER GROVE PARK UNIQUE? WHAT DOYOU LIKE BEST ABOUTTOWER GROVE PARK? Food Truck Neighborhoods Location Wading Pool Tennis Courts Walking PathsTrees Sports Design Walkable Farmers Market Accessible Lily Ponds Close to Home Activities History Community Open Spaces Friendly Architecture Playground LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS - passionate - invested - energized OVER 250 PEOPLE AT FIRST OPEN HOUSE NEARLY 1300ANSWERED SURVEYS NEW USER GROUPS - globally exciting sports - millennials with high-tech expectations Q2 ISTHERE ANYTHINGTOWER GROVE PARK IS MISSING? Change the Speed Bumps Water Fountains Better Lighting Basketball Courts More SecurityGarden Playground Skatepark Improve the Farmers Market Trees Native Plants Paths Visitors Food Bathrooms Center Swimming Pool More Events Water Features Tennis Courts Dog Park Pickleball Courts Improve Center Cross Fields Disc Golf Bike Infrastructure
45 MASTER PLAN
WEST END SITE PLAN 46 S KINGSHIGHWAY BLVD A Wild Bird Garden & Memorial Fountain R 2 17 9 MAGNOLIA AVE WEST DR 1 3 10 R 15 16 15 18 B NORTHWEST DR 21 20 20 10 R R 15 9 SOUTHWEST DR N 21 21 22 9 9 2 22 10 19 ARSENAL ST 2 see focus areas for building uses and program in these areas victorian pavilion collection to be preserved *wi-i and high-tech services throughout RECREATION ACTIVITIES 1. (1) 265 outield ball ield 2. (12) 200 outield ball ields 3. (5) sand volleyball courts 9. (2.5 mi) running trail 10. (8) workout stations PROGRAM ACTIVITIES 15. no-mow native grasses (low growing) 16. evolving temporary art installation, expanded food truck friday with electrical service 17. fruiting native shade trees 18. expanded trails through wood and savannas equipped with bird watching information 19. restored historic tree nursery 20. (9) upgraded picnic sites; potential contemporary picnic shelters with QR codes and electrical connections 21. nature play / stone steppers to engage water 22. stream daylighting / naturalized edges BUILDING USE A. kingshighway gate house: a school group and children s activity center with restroom B. magnolia residence: new staff ofice/classroom building; potential future director s residence R. restroom 0 150 300 600
CENTRAL SITE PLAN 47 5 MAGNOLIA AVE 7 R 15 see focus areas for building uses and program in these areas victorian pavilion collection to be preserved *wi-i and high-tech services throughout 10 2 9 4 C Flag Circle CENTER CROSS DR CENTER CROSS DR Lily Pond Shelter Turkish Pavilion 10 Waterlily Ponds 6 The Ruins MAIN DR 15 Music Stand 2 Old Carriage Shelter Humboldt Circle Humboldt North Pavilion Humboldt South Pavilion 2 2 9 2 R 10 22 RECREATION ACTIVITIES 2. (12) 200 outield ball ields 4. (9) tennis hard courts and (8) pickleball courts 5. (3) tennis grass courts 6. (2) basketball courts 7. (5) futsal ields 9. (2.5 mi) running trail 10. (8) workout stations PROGRAM ACTIVITIES 15. no-mow native grasses (low growing) 22. stream daylighting / naturalized edges BUILDING USE C. south gate house: an art gallery and art education center, visitors center, parking improvements, and public restroom R. restroom ARSENAL ST N 0 150 300 600
EAST END SITE PLAN 48 22 8 8 MAGNOLIA AVE Bull Pen Gate victorian pavilion collection to be preserved *wi-i and high-tech services throughout Cypress Circle NORTHEAST DR Cypress North Shelter 22 Old Playground Pavilion MAIN DR 2 Old Comfort Station 11 S GRAND BLVD RECREATION ACTIVITIES 2. (12) 200 outield ball ields 8. (2) high school soccer ields 9. (2.5 mi) running trail 10. (8) workout stations PROGRAM ACTIVITIES 11. upgraded existing playground 12. revitalized stupp memorial garden 13. wetland / nature play and education 14. hammock vista 22. stream daylighting / naturalized edges Cypress South Shelter Chinese Pavilion Sons of Rest Pavilion BUILDING USE D. stupp center: a senior activities center and education center with existing restroom SOUTHEAST DR 22 D 12 2 2 2 14 13 9 10 10 9 ARSENAL ST N 0 150 300 600
ACCESS & CIRCULATION 30 N CIRCULATION IMPROVEMENTS existing roads/paths to remain non-historic roads/paths to be removed enhanced road/path connections
ACCESS & CIRCULATION 31 * * * * * food truck friday festival of nations farmers market N PEDESTRIAN & BIKE SAFETY existing roads/paths to remain road open for emergency access only temporary road closure (event) temporary road opened (event) bicycle lane / shared lane bicycle rack * pedestrian improvements (crosswalks, speed humps / tables, ADA detectable pavers, crossing signage)
ACCESS & CIRCULATION 32 SCORED CONCRETE PRECEDENT ADA BRIDGE AT GUTTER PRECEDENT ROADWAY GUTTER PRECEDENT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PRECEDENTS
RESTROOMS 33 RESTROOMS existing public restroom existing event restroom proposed public restroom proposed event restroom potential future public restroom screened enclosure for temporary porta potties N *note: buildings are enlarged and not to scale for visibility
EVENTS & PROGRAMMING 34 N EXISTING EVENTS farmer s market food truck fridays festival of nations outdoor stage
EVENTS & PROGRAMMING 35 PROPOSED EVENTS option to maintain or expand from existing location of Food Truck Fridays. farmer's market: east loop of Center Cross Drive converts to two-way trafic for event festival of nations: lag circle at Center Cross Drive closed to trafic for event Option to maintain existing location of Festival of Nations. N farmer s market food truck fridays festival of nations holiday market outdoor movie outdoor stage temporary art
COMMUNITY ACCESSIBILITY EVENTS EXPANDED FARMERS' MARKETAREA
COMMUNITY ACCESSIBILITY EVENTS ANNUAL ART INSTALLATION
RECREATION 37 EXISTING RECREATION (13) ball ields (2) soccer ields (9) hard court tennis (3) grass tennis (8) pickleball courts (2) sand volleyball (1) splash play area (2) playgrounds (4) corkball ields (2) horseshoe pits N
RECREATION 38 potential enhanced ballield: 265 foot outield, synthetic turf, outield fencing, dugout PROPOSED RECREATION (13) ball ields (2) soccer ields (9) hard court tennis (3) grass tennis (8) pickleball courts (5) sand volleyball (1) enlarged splash play area (2) enhanced playgrounds (5) futsal ields (2) basketball courts (8) workout stations (2.5 mi) running track hammock swing area N
RECREATION ACTIVITIES TOWER GROVE PARK: WELCOMING, ACCESSIBLE, EMBRACING DIVERSITY. PLAY FOR ALLAGES
RECREATION ACTIVITIES COMMUNITY-REQUESTED ACTIVITIES
SITE HYDROLOGY 40 N existing water body / stream proposed water body / stream MUCKED & CHANNELIZED DRAINAGE WAY MOWN TURF PLANTED COIR LOG STABILIZATION AT WATER LEVEL LOW MEADOW - SEDGE & BULB MIX MOWN TURF BROAD & SHALLOW DRAINAGE WAY; OCCASIONAL DRY CREEK BOULDER REVETMENTS AT NATURE PLAY AREAS EXISTING STREAM PROPOSED STREAM STABILIZATION
TREES & VEGETATION 41 option: maintain existing ballield size to preserve existing trees N enhanced plantings at entrances removed trees proposed trees savannas / low meadow
SUSTAINABILITY TREES & VEGETATION TREE COLLECTIONS MANAGED MEADOW NATURALIZED STREAM EDGE
HIGH-TECH INTEGRATION 44 N wi-i hubs itness station QR codes nature trail QR codes park history QR codes & electrical connection HIGH-TECH PRECEDENTS ELECTRONIC CHARGING STATION
49 FOCUS AREAS
FACILITIES CORE 50 CENTER CROSS DRIVE 3 12 9 6 MAGNOLIA AVENUE 15 16 13 10 7 8 4 5 2 1 11 14 11 N NORTHEAST DRIVE 1. renovated and expanded paved plaza 2. piper palm house 3. event plaza / outdoor dining, with temporary tent cover 4. center court - vendor loading and unloading / potential outdoor amenity 5. potential rehabilitation of existing kitchen and restrooms 6. new path connection between director s residence and piper palm house 7. renovated staff / administration building 8. adapted utility / storage building 9. rehabilitated hospitality / demonstration gardens 10. restored greenhouse (head house removed) 11. utility sheds 12. director s residence (wedding and event venue / hospitality venue) 13. kitchen garden 14. maintenance yard 15. rehabilitated formal garden 16. new utility / storage building with loggia at formal garden 0 75 150
LILY POND AREA CENTERCROSS DRIVE 3 6 5 4 1 5 6 9 6 10 2 30 30 1. renovated and expanded paved plaza 2. preserved music stand, sculptures, and osage orange trees 3. lily pond shelter / park information kiosk 4. restored bold tropical planting beds 5. restored waterlily ponds 6. new asphalt paths 7. Victorian bridge in kind with existing pedestrian bridges 8. lily pond extension / water filtration (transformation of existing basin) 9. fountain pond and the ruins 10. turnaround / parallel parking reduced road width 5 7 4 8 N MAIN DRIVE 0 75 150
LILY POND AREA (EXISTING)
LILY POND AREA RENEWED
54 ROMAN PAVILION AREA N O RT H W E S T D R I SO 18 17 UT HW 15 EST VE DRIVE 19 16 1 2 2 MAGNOLIA AVENUE ARSENAL STREET 10 3 5 4 11 6 12 9 7 13 13 2 8 2 14 N CENTER CROSS DRIVE 0 80 160 320 1. preserve mall vista 2. new asphalt paths 3. new concessions stand / restrooms / storage 4. relocated playground for all ages 5. renovated plaza with outdoor tables & chairs 6. preserve Roman Pavilion 7. upgraded & expanded splash / play area 8. expanded gathering plaza lined with benches 9. hard court tennis (9) 10. pickleball courts (8) 11. tennis pavilion - restore paths & landscape 12. grass tennis (3) 13. rubber surface running track (2.5 miles) 14. new restrooms & parking 15. renovated residence at stables - public amenity / gathering / carriage waiting 16. rehabilitated center court and historic stables as park history / education center 17. new stables 18. expanded paddocks 19. upgraded material storage bins
ROMAN PAVILION AREA (EXISTING) 55
ROMAN PAVILION AREA 56
58 NEXT STEPS 1. recommended studies 2. continued public outreach 3. phasing and implementation 4. maintaining the park
THE VISION 7 A Victorian work of art with a twenty-irst century soul